"An unknown error has occurred" when saving a file on latest Illustrator v25.2

[Guest]

Hi someone just sent me a .AI file to make a tiny edit on - I have never use AI before but its in my subscription so I downloaded it - made the tiny change and can't save it !  The error message I get is simply "An unknown error has occurred" - I have tried all the logical things like changing drives and changing file formats but still it doesn't work - any ideas ??

[Monika Gause]

Do you have a printer connected, set up as the default printer and turned on? Illustrator looks for a printer when saving. If it doesn't find one, it might act funky.

Also: does the file path and/or file name contain special characters? There are a couple that Illustrator doesn't particularly like.

[Guest]

Thanks for the response.

Yes I do have a default HP Laser printer and the file name is just fb.ai trying to save to my c: drive and then network drive - nothing works. 

I really don't know where to start in trying to solve it as the message isn't really very helpful.

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

You could try and disable the "Save in Background" setting in the preferences.

[Guest]

That did it !  Thanks - You are a star !

[David Sutphin]

This worked.

[RLChris121]

Had same issue occur for the first time today (5/6/24). The disable "save in background" suggestion worked. Never saw this "Unknown error..." issue previously when trying to save work in Illustrator in past 20+ years.

Why would they add a "save in background" feature in the program that actually prevents you from saving your work? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Anubhav M]

Hello @RLChris121,

Sorry to hear about your experience. Would you mind sharing more details, like the OS/Illustrator version, the folder location where you're trying to save your work, and a public link to a sample file so that we can better assist you?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Anubhav